Gmelina arborea Roxb.

• Scientific Name: Gmelina arborea
• Family: Verbenaceae
• Genus: Gmelina
• Species: arborea

Common Names:
• English: Gmelina, White Beech, Gambhari
• Malayalam: Chorakka (ചൊറക്ക)
• Tamil: Vembu (வேம்பு)
• Hindi: Gambhari (गमभीरी)
• Bengali: Gambhari (গাম্ভারি)
________________________________________
Synonyms:
• Gmelina vitiensis (synonym for some regional varieties)
• Gmelina asiatica (sometimes used as an older synonym)
________________________________________
Botanical Description:
• Habit: Gmelina arborea is a deciduous tree that typically grows between 15 to 30 meters in height, with a straight trunk and a spreading canopy.
• Leaves: The leaves are simple, opposite, and elliptical or ovate in shape, with a smooth or slightly serrated margin. They are green and glossy, turning yellow in autumn.
• Flowers: The tree produces showy, tubular flowers, which are usually yellowish to pale white and arranged in clusters at the end of branches. These flowers are attractive to bees and pollinators.
• Fruits: The fruit is a small, round, fleshy drupe, which turns yellow or orange when mature. The fruits are often eaten by birds and other wildlife.
• Bark: The bark is grayish and smooth, with some rough patches as the tree matures.
________________________________________
Uses:
1. Culinary:
o While not widely used for food, the fruits of Gmelina arborea are sometimes consumed in rural areas, though they are not considered a staple food. In some cultures, the fruits are eaten after ripening.
2. Medicinal:
o Gmelina arborea has various medicinal uses in traditional medicine. The leaves, bark, and seeds are used to treat ailments like fever, inflammation, skin disorders, diarrhea, and respiratory issues.
o The bark is considered a mild astringent, and leaf extracts are used to treat dysentery and coughs.
o The seeds have been used in traditional remedies for digestive problems and as antioxidants.
3. Industrial Uses:
o The wood of Gmelina arborea is highly valued for its light weight, durability, and workability, making it suitable for furniture, construction, and plywood production.
o The wood is also used for paper production, household utensils, and musical instruments in some regions.
o Timber from Gmelina is often used in agriculture, particularly for fence posts and farm structures due to its resistance to pests.
4. Ecological Uses:
o Gmelina arborea is used for reforestation and afforestation projects in tropical and subtropical areas, thanks to its fast growth rate and ability to improve soil fertility.
o It is also planted for soil erosion control and as part of agroforestry systems, providing shade and helping restore degraded lands.
5. Cultural and Religious Uses:
o In some regions, Gmelina arborea is regarded as an important tree in cultural or religious rituals, and parts of the tree (e.g., bark) may be used in traditional ceremonies.
________________________________________